"Okay. We'll talk. Just please don't hurt us." Bocoe said as they were both shaking in fear.
"I can't guarantee that." Rainbow stepped over them as they were lying on their backs between her front forelegs, and she glared at them. "Now, keep talking!" She ordered as they both nodded.
"T-The doctor wants to reeducate the youth to accept him as Equestria's ruler. We were trying to hide this mare's body in the bushes. She's not dead, we swear." Bocoe continues to reveal the doctor's plan.
"For your sake, she better not be. So what diabolical machine is he using this time, huh?"
"We'd hardly use the word diabolical; It's a new robot that can teach education to be fun. He's called the Tutor-Bot." Decoe said as they continued to spill everything to Rainbow.
"Is that everything? Cause if you're holding out on me..." Rainbow raised her eyebrow in suspicion.
"We swear. That's everything! Honest." Decoe said as his robotic brother agreed. They both nodded in affirmation.
"You two better be telling the truth. Because I'll sic Applejack on you if you're lying."
"Who's that? And why does that still sound terrifying?" Decoe asked Rainbow.
"Every liar's worst nightmare. And the element of honesty." Rainbow said in a tone to intimidate the two robots, which wasn't at all challenging to manage. "As I said, you two better be telling the truth here. I'll watch to see what this Tutor-Bot is doing to them."
"Sure you can, Rainbow. You'll see that we're being honest." Decoe said to reassure his brother next to him.
"I don't recall ever needing to ask you two for your permission here. I'll do whatever I feel like doing." Rainbow said as she got off them, "Get up, you two, and let's go to the Schoolhouse. You're not out of trouble yet."
"Y-Yes, ma'am," Bocoe said as both complied with her order and followed her.
"When you're finished with your test, leave your pencil on your desk and raise your hoof to signal me," Tutor-Bot said as Applebloom was the first to finish. She raised her hoof and set her pencil down. "Oh? Are you first to be done then? Are you sure you wouldn't want to double-check your answers? It's always a good idea to make sure you're thorough."
"I'm ready, Mr. Tutor-Bot. I'm finished."
"Wonderful. If you're feeling confident, then come on down! And to sweeten the pot for the rest of you, I'll even offer a grand prize to the one that can get one hundred percent on their exam first." This gave motivation for the entire class to give it their all. Applebloom submitted her test to the Tutor-Bot as he looked it over.
After about a couple of minutes, the results were finished. "Amazing job, Applebloom; you scored a close ninety-eight percent." She looked defeated as she hung her head low, and Diamond smirked smugly at her in her general direction.
"Aww. Don't feel glum. There's still hope for you. If nobody can achieve a perfect score, the one with the highest score will win." This brightened her up as Tutor-Bot leered at Diamond smugly as she glared back at the robot.
"Now, does that look like he's causing terror, unimaginable?" Decoe asked Rainbow.
"Well... no."
"He wasn't designed to be a battle bot; he was designed to be a tutor bot, hence his name. He enjoys his job." Bocoe said.
"I can see that. He honestly seems... quite nice. Like an actual good teacher."
"Exactly. So does this mean that we're off the hook then?" Decoe asked in hope.
"Nope. Not until the Doc returns to his crummy lab, and you two follow him."
"Well, it was worth a shot, brother," Bocoe said as he consoled his robotic brother.
"I'll have you know; my lab isn't crummy." Then, a tall figure approached Rainbow and revealed himself as the doctor.
"Dr. Bruner. What're you up to now, huh? Are you trying to force little fillies and colts to accept you? Really?"
"Yes. That's exactly what my plan is." The doctor said as Decoe and Bocoe rushed to the doctor's side.
"As if that'll ever happen."
"Are you sure about that, Rainbow? You should know how easy it is to control many when you control what they learn. When you control language and knowledge, you control thought and emotions."
"So that's your game, huh? Hindering their minds, they know only enough to function in your little society?"
"Exactly. And it's effective, too."
"Well, so that you know, Doc. They're succeeding in there."
"What?! Inconceivable. All they need to know is what I want them to know and nothing more."
"I guess your new robot enjoys his job a bit too much. So, how's your big plan working out for you then?"
"I'll have to show that robot what he has to do. I will not have my machines disobey me! Note to self: Don't install an emotional AI chip in my newest models."
"Woah, now, what're you going to do?" Rainbow asked the doctor.
"What does it look like? I'm going to guide Tutor-Bot in the right direction: Mine."
"Everyone's tests are submitted? Excellent. Sadly, none of you have made it to a perfect score. But there are two that are close. Scootaloo and Applebloom! You two are tied at having a ninety-eight on your tests. Ooh... the anticipation is killing me." Tutor-Bot then continued, "Time for a tie-breaker!"
"Woah. Applebloom. You've been studying, too, huh?" Scootaloo asked her friend.
"Sure have. I've been working hard all week to pass. So whatever happens, may the best pony win."
"You know it!" Both ponies bumped their hooves together as a form of mutual respect.
"Time for the tie-breaker round of your tests! Your question is- What is two-point-two plus three-point eight?"
'Aww, horsefeathers. I have never studied decimals yet. Well, it is added, so it shouldn't be too hard.' Applebloom thought to herself.
'Dang. Applebloom might get this one. I'll... go with my gut on this.' Scootaloo thought as she spoke up, "The answer is Five."
"Sorry, but that's incorrect, Scootaloo."
"I got the answer, Mr. Tutor-Bot. I think I figured it out."
"Well then, I'm all ears."
"The answer is six."
"That's correct! Applebloom wins the test!" Tutor-Bot shot some confetti as his small stereo, then played a victory jingle.
"Yes! I won. That was close, Scoots."
"Yeah. It was. Good job. You've earned it."
"And as promised... your grand prize!" Tutor-Bot's chest cabinet opened as a small drone held a ticket in its little claw and gave it to her.
"It's a ticket to this season's Grand Galloping Gala." Applebloom was exploding with glee. "All the business we'll be able to make this season. Thank you, Tutor-Bot. You're the best." Applebloom then hugged Tutor-Bot as he was spinning around in emotional joy.
"All these tender emotions are flooding my sensitive, emotional receptors. I'm so happy for everyone here." Tutor-Bot was reaching his arms for everyone, "Come here and bring it in, everyone!"
They all hugged Tutor-Bot as he beeped in joy at the affection. "Let's all go out for recess; you've all earned it." They all cheered as everyone left the Schoolhouse interior and went to its playground.
"Aha. So this is what you were doing to them?" The sharp and commanding voice of the doctor said to them.
"D-Doctor. Hi there. I-I was just.. well, you know, doing my job- what I was programmed to do by you."
"No! You breakaway bumpkin! You were supposed to coerce them to accept me as Equestria's new ruler. That was what you were designed to do, Tutor-Bot."
"But... I love helping these precious little ones. It's truly a privilege for me." Then, the three Crusaders protected Tutor-Bot by blocking him from the doctor.
"We may not exactly know who you are. But it's clear to us that you've got nefarious intentions. Leave him alone! He didn't do anything wrong. He's our new friend." Applebloom spoke up for Tutor-Bot.
"A friend? You guys view me as your friend?" Tutor-Bot said in true happiness.
"Yeah! We do. You're so awesome, Tutor-Bot. You made today out to be so much fun." Sweetie Belle said in their bid to protect him.
"Oh... I love you guys so much. I'm honored to be here to help you all succeed."
"Aww.. well, isn't that just sweet? But you're my creation, and you'll do what I say!" The doctor pulled a belt adorned with tools around his waist as he cackled evilly. "Ahahaha! The good doctor puts you together, and the bad doctor can take you apart! It's dismantling time! Muhahaha!"
"No! Please, doctor. Don't dismantle me. I'll do better for you, I promise." Tutor-Bot was backing away in sheer fright.
"No, you won't! You won't hurt our friend." Scootaloo spoke up in protest.
"Perhaps you do not fully understand who you're dealing with here. Then consider this as your educational experience." The doctor pulled out a switch in his coat pocket with a red button on it. "All I have to do is press this button, and Tutor-Bot becomes a ticking timebomb of scrap and faulty wiring."
"No way! You stinker! That's not fair! You're not giving him a choice; you're forcing him to obey." Scootaloo growled.
"Hello... villain. It's kind of what I do. Last chance, Tutor-Bot, attack and kill Rainbow Dash! Now! That's an order!" Tutor-Bot then tilted his head, his body jittering as his monitor-shaped head rose back up with beaming red eyes instead of his usual yellow ones.
"Yes, sir!" He responded in a deeper robotic tone as his wrists detached, and two gun barrels were there as he wheeled his way over to Rainbow. The doctor was grinning smugly in victory.
"Tutor-Bot! No! Don't fight her! You'll be destroyed." Scootaloo yelled out to Tutor-Bot, tears welling up in her eyes. "Call him off, please! He can't handle a fight with her."
"I know. What a failure he turned out to be. Disappointing. But to achieve progress, one must make necessary sacrifices." The doctor exclaimed.
"You monster! You horrible, rotten, evil monster!" Applebloom was in tears, crying as she was pounding her little hooves onto the doctor's legs as he shooed her off him.
"Get off of me, you pest!" The doctor lightly kicked her off as he watched Tutor-Bot's execution.
"You know what, Tutor-Bot, even though the Doc made you, you were a good robot. I'm sorry to have to do this to you, buddy. You were pretty cool for a clunker." Even though he was approaching Rainbow, he was shaking- it looked as if he was saddened but knew this was the end for him.
He had deliberately held himself back, "Either face your inevitable demise peacefully or go out fighting; it doesn't matter to me what you do so long as you do it. What a waste of a good robot." Tutor-Bot refused to shoot Rainbow as she prepared to rush at him for a strike.
Her body was glowing a spectrum of rainbow colors, and she sped right through him as he screamed, about to explode. A bright cascade of flashing white lights had sparked from the impalement wound on his chest. "AAAUGHHH!!! OOOOUGHHAAA!!!"
KA-BOOM!
Pieces of small metal scrap were all left of him after he exploded. "NO! TUTOR-BOT!!! No... he was our friend." Applebloom then hugged her two friends as she cried into their shoulders.
"That's what happens to recusant robots. Insubordination will not be tolerated!" Then Applebloom, in her saddened rage, ran up and pounded onto the doctor's legs again.
"I hate you! You're mean, rotten, horrible, and cruel."
"Flattery means nothing to me, you little gnat. Now release my leg at once!" He kicked her off as he signaled for his Bruner Mobile to come to him. "Adieu, My greatest enemy. And thank you for taking out the trash for me." Decoe and Bocoe then hopped in as the doctor laughed heartily and fled. Rainbow decided to console the young ones instead of chasing down the doctor.
"You get away with it this time, Doc," Rainbow said as she glared at the fleeing doctor in raw contempt.